Folding couch.



W. E.-FRANK.

FOLDING COUCH.

APPLICATION HLED MAR. 16, |911.

Patentedf 00u15, 1918* "2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

W. E. FRANK.

FOLDING COUCH.

APPLICATION HLED MAR.16.1911.

Patented oet. 15, 1918n 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 entran stares rarest WILLIAM E. FRANK, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNORTO FOSTER BROS. CO., OF

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

`FOLDING CoUcH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oet. 15, 191s.

Application led March 16, 1917. Serial No. 155,221.

are provided with a foldable mattress frame that can be opened or extended when it is' desired to convert the device into a bed.

One object of my present invention is to provide a folding couch, davenport or similar article of simple construction that can be opened and closed easily.

Another object is to provide a device of the character referredto that is equipped with springs which are so arranged that they assist in the operation of opening the mattress frame or closing said frame and also absorb the shock on the mattress frame when it is moving into its final closed position.

Another object is to provide a folding couch, davenport or similar article of novel construction in which ample room is provided for the mattress and bedding when the couch is in its closed position.

And still. another object is to provide a folding couch, davenport or similar' article that is equipped with a three-piece mattress frame, a seat and a back that is combined ,with said seat and frame in such a manner that it serves as a brace for the end Section,

of the mattress frame when said frame is extended or opened. Other objects and desirable features of my invention will be hereinafter pointed out.

Figure 1 of the drawings is an end view, partly in elevation and vertical section, of a folding conch constructed in accordance with my invention. showing the couch open.

Fig. 2- is a top plan view of same.

Fig.v 3 is a vertical transverse sectional View, showingthe couch closed; and Fig. 4 is a-detail sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate the preferred form of my invention, A designates the 'end frames of my improved couch, which may be of any preferred construction and design, and 1 and 2 designate cross members that connect. said end frames together', the cross member 2 serving as an auxiliary stop or support for the upper edge of the back B of the couch when the couch is closed, as shown in Fig. 3. rl`he mattress frame of the couch herein shown is formed in three sections, consisting of a rear section C of substantially U shape in outline, an intermediate section D vand a front section E which is also substantially U-shaped in outline, as shown in Fig. 2, said sections having combined there-` with a mattress-supporting structure formed either from a woven wire fabric or a link and coil spring structure, Said sections are pivotally connected together and are combined `with the end frames A in such a manner that when the couch is closed, as shown in Fig. 3, the intermediate section D will lie above the rear section C andthe front section E will stand in a position at substantially right angles to the intermediate sec` tion D behind the back B of the couch. The sea-t F of the couch is connected by means of links 3 and 4 to the intermediate section D of the mattress frame in such a manner that when the couch is closed said seat will lie above the intermediate section D of the mattress frame. and when the couch is open,

as shown in Fig. 1, said seat will occupy a horizontal position some distance beneath the mattress frame. The frame 5 v"which carries the upholstered portion of the back B is pivotally connected at its lower edge to the seat frame 7 and is also pivotally connected at 8 to the front section E of the mattress frame in such a manner that when the couch is closed the back B will occupy mediate section of the mattress frame. It is innnaterial, .so far as my broad idea is concerned, how the various sections of the mattress frame are formed. but l prefer to form Isaid sections from pieces of angle iron, thel intermediate section l') ot' the frame merely consisting of two side members 9 that are pivotally connected at to the side pieces 0f the front section E and pivotally connected atl 11 to the rear section C ofthe mattress frame.

. In order vto provide ample space for the mattress and the bedding between the rear section C and the intermediate section D of .the mattress .frame when the couch is closed,

said rear section C is connected to the ende tended. vIn the form of my invention herein shown this is effected by pivotally yconnecting'the front ends of the side pieces of said rear section C to the end frames, and connectin the rear end portion of said section .C to t e end frames by two pairs of toggle links 12, which, in turn, are joined by means yof rods 13 to the intermediate section D of the mattress frame. The rods 13 are provided with upturned ends 14 which are ,pivotally connected at 14a to the side members 9 that constitute the intermediate seci Ytion D of the mattress frame at a point in advance of the pivotal connection between the sections -C and D of the mattress frame when said frame is extended. Consequently, when the intermediate section D is swung upwardly and rearwardly during the operatil-on of closing the mattress frame, the links 13 will also move rearwardly and break or collapse the toggles 12,"thus permitting the rear end portion of the section C of the mattress frame to swin downwardly into the position shown in 1g. 3. 'When the intermediate section C of the mattress frame is swung upwardly or forwardly during the operation of opening or extending the mattress frame, the links 13 will also move forwardly, and consequently, straighten the toggles'12, thereby moving the rear end portion of the section C upwardly into a hori-v zontal position, as shown in 1. The end frames A of the couch are provided with stops or supports 15 on which the rear section C of the mattress frame rests when the couch is closed, and while it is immaterial, so far as my broad idea is concerned, how the rear section C of the mattress frame is pivotally connected to the end frames A, I prefer to provide the end frames With-'supporting brackets or plates 16 of the form shown in Fig. 4, to which the side pieces of said rear section C are pivotally connected by the same pivotsvll that connect the intermediate section and rear section of the mattress frame together. As shown in Fig.

v 4, the side pieces of thc rear section C of the mattress frame lie between the end frames A and the vertical webs of the supporting brackets 16, andthe side members 9 'that constitute the intermediate section .of the mattress frame-lie on the opposite sides ofsaid webs.

The.links 4 that connect the seat F to the intermediate section D of the mattress frame are provided with legs or extensions 4a that rest on the floor when the mattress frame is in its open position, and thus form rigid supports for the intermediate part of the mattress frame. At such times the rear part of the mattress frame is supported firmly by the end frames A and by the toggle links 12, and the front portion of frame 7 said links 17 also being utilized to carry a rigid member 18 that forms a continuation of the front edge of the seat F when the couch is closed, and thus hides the '90 space under the seat between the end frames.

The rear section C of the mattress Aframe is provided with stops 19 on which the intermediate section D' of the mattress frame rests when the couch is closed, and if desired, the top cross piece 2 that serves as an auxiliary support for the upper edge ofthe back B may be provided with a catch 2O that coperates with a catch device 21 ona rigid member 22 that extends longitudinally of the back at the upper edge of same, so as to lock the couch in its closed position. As previously stated, one of the novel features of my improved couch is that it is equipped with springs which are so arranged that they assist in the operation of opening and closing the mattress frame and also absorb l the shockv on said frame when `it is moving,r to its final closed position. In the form of my invention herein shown two contractile springs 23 are-employed for this purpose,

which springs are connected at their rear.

ends to the cross member of the rear section C of the mattress frame andat their front ends to rods 24 which are mounted in Abearings 25 on the side members 9 of the intermediate section D of the mattress framein such a manner that when the couch is open, said rods Will extend substantially parallel to said side members 9, and 'when the couch is closed, said rods will stand in al position at substantially right angles to the side members 9. VAs shown in Fig. 2, each of the rods 24 is provided at itsfront end with a laterally-projecting arm 24 that is journaled in its coperatin'g bearing 25, and the arm on each of said rods is provided with an ,up-L wardly-projecting portion o`r` extension 24".l

that -is arranged at substantiallyl ri ht angles to the horizontal flange.` of theside' l member 9 on which the bearing is mounted. The springs 23 and rods 24k are so arranged that when the couch is in its open ktion of the mattress frame.

position, as shown in Fig. 1, said rods will li below the pivots 11 which jointhe interm diat'e section and rear section of the mat-- tress frame to the end frames, thereby causing the springs to exert pressure on the intermediate section o the mattress frame in a direction tending to swing said section downwardly, and consequently, overcoming any tendency of the mattress frame to close accidentally. ,When it is desired to close the couch the user merely pushes the back B or the front section of the mattress frame upwardly and rearwardly, thereby causing the intermediate section of the mattress frame to swing'upwardly on the pivots 1 1. is soon as the links 24 cross the pivots 11, or, in other words, become positioned above said pivots, due, of course, to the upward swinging movement4 'of the intermediate section D, the springs 23 will exert a rearward pull on said intermediate section, or a pull in'a direction tending to cause said intermediate section to move into its closed position. swings upwardly and rearwardly, the front section E of the mattress frame, the seat F and the back B will fold automatically into the position shown in Fig. 3, owing to the manner in which said parts are connected together and to the manner in which the front edge of the seat is joined to the end frames. During the first part of the upward and rearward movement of the intermediate section of the mattress frame the arms 24a on the rods 24 to which the springs are connected merely turn in the bearings 25, but when the side members 9 on which said bearings are-mounted reach such a position that the horizontal flanges on said members 9 strike against the upturned extensions 24h on the arms 24a, or, in other words, a position at substantially right angles to said rods, the rods Q4 will start to move with the members 9 and will finally reach such a position that they exert aV forward pull on the springs 23, thereby causing said springs to absorb the shock on the intermediate section of the mattress` frame when it is moving into its final closed position.

It' desired, the front section E of the mattress frame can be providedwith auxiliary supporting legs 9.6 that can be swung downwardly into engagement with the floor, as shown in broken linesA in Fig. 1,/so as to assist the back B in supporting the front por- In the couch herein shown each of the auxiliary support'- ing legs 26 is formed from a piece of rodl bent into substantially V form and provided at its upper end with eyes or hooks Q7 that pass 'ihrough holes in the side Hanges of the When the intermediate section front section E ofthe mattress trame, said auxiliary legs being so arranged that they can be snapped into engagement with clips 28 on the cross piece of the front section E, so as to securely hold the bedding and the mattress in operative position on the mattress iframe when the couch is closed.

While I have herein illustrated my invention embodied in a folding couch or davenport of the type in which the mattress frame can be opened and closed easily, on account of the fact that it is provided with springs that are normally under tension and in readiness to assist the user in the operation of closing or opening` the couch. Furthermore, said springs are so arranged that when the couch is being closed the springs efl'ectively absorb the shock on the collapsible mattress frame when it is moving into its final closed position. In addition to the functions above mentioned, the springs also overcome any tendency of the mattress frame to close accidentally when the couch is being used as a bed. My improved couch is of such simple construction that 'it can be manufactured at a low cost; is not liable to get out of order when in use and the parts of same are soA designed and arranged that ample space is provided for the mattress' and the bedding when the couch is closed. In addition to the desirable features above pointed out, my improved couch presents a neajt and ornamental appearance.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A couch, davenport or similar article provided with a foldable mattress frame that comprises a hinged section which can be turned over, a contractile spring, and a link interposed between said spring and hinged section of said frame and mounted on said section in such a manner that it will move into a position at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the spring so as to place said spring under tension before said hinged section reaches its final closed position, thereby causing said spring to absorb the closing shock on said hinged section.

Q. A couch. davenport or similar article provided with a foldable mattress frame that comprises a hinged section which can be turned over, a contractile spring, a link .joined to said spring and to the hinged section of said frame in such a manner that it lies below the pivot of said section when the mattress frame is open, and means for Icausing said link to assume such a position that it places said spring under tension before said -hinged section reaches its inal closed position, thereby causing the closing p on said hinged section.

4. A couch,1davenport or similar article provided with a foldable mattress framethat comprises a hinged section which can be turned over, a contractile spring, a link connected to said spring and journaled in a bearing on said hinged section, said spring and link being so arranged. that the spring Y exerts a pull on said hinged section in a bdirection tending to close it during the first part of theop'eration of closing the mattress frame, and means for causing said link-to move With said hinged section and place said spring under tension during the last part of the operation of closing the mattress frame.

5. A couch, davenport or similar article provided with a foldable mattress frame that comprises a hinged section which can be turned over, a bearing on said hinged section, a link :lournaled in said bearing, a contractile spring connected to said link, and a coperating means on said link and'hinged section for preventing the link from turning in said-bearing during the last part'of the operation of closing the mattress frame; for the purpose described.

6. A couch, davenport or similar article provided with end'frames, a lioldable mat tress frame that comprises a rear section and la pivotall'y mounted section that lies above saine when the mattress frame is closed, both of said sections being pivotallyconnected to the end frames so as to swing on the-same axis, toggle links for supporting the free end of said rear section, and a connection bef" tween said toggle links and said pivotallyfR mounted section forstraightening the toggle when the mattress frame is opened and lfor breaking thettoggle when said frame is being closed.

7.*A couch, davenpoit or similar article, comprising end frames, a foldable mattress the rear edge of said rear section, stops on said end frames on -which said rear section rests when the mattress frame is closed, and upwardly-projecting portions on said rear section on which said -pivotally mounted section rests lwhen the mattress frame .is closed.v

8. A couch, davenport or similar article provided with a three-piece mattressV frame that can be opened and closed, and a seat and back combined with mattress frame in such a manner that the seat lies under the intermediate portion of the mattress frame and the `back extends upwardly from said seat to the front section of the frame so as to support said section when said frameI is in its openpos'ition.

9. A couch, davenport or similar article provided With va jointed mattress frame, a seat connected to said frame by links in such a manner that it/lies underneath said frame When said frame is in its open position, and a back pivotally connected at its n lower edge to the normally rear edge of said seat and at its upper edge to the front portion of said frame in such a manner that it serves as an inclined supporting brace or the front end of said frame.

:10. A couch, davenport or similar article 'provided with a collapsible frame which vcomprises a section which can be turned over, end frames to Which said section is piv otally connected, supporting legs for said section pivotally connected tothe ends of same, a seat pivotally connected at its ends i to said legs, and links pivotally yconnected to said end frames and to said seat for holding the seat in a certain position When the couch is open.'

11. A couch, davenport or similar `article provided with end frames, a foldable mattress frame comprising a rear section, an

intermediate section and a front section piv-v otally connected together, a pivotal connection between said end frames and said rear section, a collapsible means for' supporting the rear end of said rear section, a seat connected to said intermediate section by inea-nsI of links, and a back pivotally connected to said seat and to the front section. of said mattress frame.

12. A couch, ldavenport or similar article Aprovided With end frames, a foldable mattress frame comprising a rear section, an intermediate section and a front section piv- Aotally connected together, a pivotal connection between said lend frames Aand said rear section, a\collapsible means forsupporting the rear end of said rear section, a seat con- Y nected to said intermediate section by means 'o tha M01/l Secon of matwhen it is omed to s Said imma in jtule; that they lie below h@ pis aid spngs and. to*

of said secen when the frame is "pan, zum means im' causmg sulc lmks t0 assume smh a position when the "flame is being closed that Said Sp1-ings Wl be place Un- Sucent tenssn to absob the dosing shock on the 'Sections of sa imma.,

"WLAM E. NK 

